ESS uses the Scottish Government Civil Service Success Profile framework which is made up of three elements: Behaviours, Experience and Technical. ESS strongly recommends you have a look at the Success Profiles candidate guide to enable you to make the best application possible. When writing behaviours at application stage or presenting behaviours in interview, ESS recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Sift
After the closing date, your application will be reviewed and marked.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, seeing the big picture. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The sift is expected to take place from 27 August 2026.
Once the sift has been completed, applicants will be notified of the outcome. Please note that feedback will not be given to applicants at sift stage.
Stage 3: Interview
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
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behaviours seeing the big picture, communicating and influencing, making effective decisions, working together
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experience
The interviews are expected to take place in person at our Thistle House office week commencing 7 September 2026
Preparing for the interview
The interview will take approximately one hour and will consist of behaviour-based questions to assess your strengths in those areas. A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation offering a more inclusive approach. The behaviour-based questioning explores what you, the candidate, can and have done, but also your potential.
Please note: you will receive the interview questions no later than 12 hours in advance of your interview.
Behaviours
You will be assessed against the behaviours mentioned above.
It may be helpful to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the STAR model to explain:
STAR What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?
If you withdraw your application at any stage, it will not be progressed further.
Stage 4: Offer
Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first.
The successful candidate will be notified of a start date following successful pre-employment checks, which can take a number of weeks to complete.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Location
The post is based at ESS Edinburgh Haymarket office called Thistle House. You should only apply for this role if you can travel to and from your home office location daily within a reasonable time. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. All appointments will be made in merit order.
Near Miss Appointments
On occasion candidates may attend an interview for the advertised post but will narrowly miss the standard required at interview. ESS may, where appropriate, consider such candidates for alternative, similar posts at a lower grade.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
In the event that further posts are required, a reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to one year.
Further information for this job
If offered as a secondment/loan, existing Civil Servants should have received agreement from their line manager prior to commencing the application. The terms of the loan/secondment will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
A reserve list may be held for a period of one year from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to ESS from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band, unless already a civil servant on the same grade in which case the move will be at the same salary level.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.
Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements
Full time roles consist of 35 hours per week.
Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 28 hours per week over a minimum of four days.
This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.
The expectation at present is a minimum of 20% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).
Visa Sponsorship
ESS does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
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UK nationals
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nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
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nationals of the Republic of Ireland
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nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
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relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
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relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
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certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
